Transport cost recovery program

$75,000: EMS

Editor's note: This is part of an everyday series exploring individual line items in state and local budgets. Read the entire series atwww.dailypress.com/watchdog.

YORK — York County is expected to transport 4,250 patients for emergency medical services over the course of fiscal year 2015.

Instead of charging residents exorbitant fees often associated with ambulance rides, the county has a program that covers these costly trips. It's called the Emergency Medical Services transport cost recovery program, and has a budget of $75,000 this year.

"The program has been designed to minimize out-of-pocket expenses for York County residents," according to county's website. "As such, after patients' insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid are billed for services, we will waive remaining co-pays and deductibles for county residents."

In a program brochure, the county said it regards taxes paid by its residents as co-pays and deductibles. Patients who do not live in the county will be assessed normal fees over what their insurance companies approve, the brochure said. Uninsured individuals could be eligible for a hardship waiver, lower fees or a payment plan.

The schedule of fees ranges from basic life support at $375 to $575 for advanced support plus mileage at $8.75 per mile.